Colorado has one of the nation’s largest 10-year increases in carbon emissions

While Colorado has one of the nation’s highest renewable energy standards, between 2000 and 2010 it also had one of the biggest increases in carbon dioxide emissions, according to federal Energy Information data.

Colorado saw a 13.9 percent increase in carbon dioxide emissions to 96.5 million metric tons. That place it behind Nebraska, which had a 16 percent jump to 48 million tons, and Iowa with an 14.1 percent rise to 88.7 million tons.

One driver was a 38 percent increase in emissions from burning natural gas, which contributed 26.8 million tons of carbon dioxide in 2010. Most of that came from industrial operations and electricity generation.

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere and is linked in scientific studies to climate change

In all, 32 states saw declines in their carbon emissions and 18 recorded increases in emissions. The biggest drops were in Delaware, 27.9 percent to 11.7 million tons, and New York, which cut emissions 18 percent to 172 million tons.

Between 2009 and 2010, only 14 states saw a decrease in emissions, as the United States was rebounding from the recession and energy consumption increased in most states, along with emissions, according to the EIA.

Colorado has a requirement that 30 percent of the electricity from investor-owned utilities, which serve about 70 percent of the state, come from renewable sources by 2020. Only California has a higher renewable energy standard – 33 percent.

A bill raising the renewable energy standard for Colorado’s rural electricity cooperatives to 20 percent from 10 percent passed the legislature this session and is on Gov. John Hickenlooper’s desk.

So where are Colorado’s carbon emissions coming from?

On a per capita basis emissions have declined from 19.6 tons per person to 18.9 tons. “That leads to the possibility that population growth is playing a role,” said Perry Lindstrom, an EIA analyst.

An IEA breakdown by sectors shows increases across the board – residential, commercial, industrial, transportation and power — the biggest jump came from industry where total carbon dioxide emissions rose 56 percent to 14.9 million metric tons between 2000 and 2010.

Transportation was up 26 percent to 29.7 million tons in 2010. The electric power sector, the largest emitter, recorded a 1.7 increase to 39.9 million tons.

The residential sector emissions rose nearly 15 percent to 7.8 million tons and commercial business contributed 4.2 million tons.

Emissions from burning coal remained level over the 10-year period ticking down 1.3 percent to 36.1 million tons. By comparison, emissions from natural gas soared 38 percent over the decade to 26.8 million tons of carbon emissions.

“There has been a growing oil and gas industry in Colorado, so that may contribute to it,” Lindstrom said.

From 2000 to 2010, Colorado’s population increased by 16.9%. Therefore, even though per-capita CO2 production fell during the decade, the total did not. Continued population growth, in Colorado and globally, remains a problem.
“Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell.” (Edward Abbey)

http://www.facebook.com/glen.colton.1 Glen Colton

Ya Think! On a per capita basis emissions have declined from 19.6 tons per person
to 18.9 tons. “That leads to the possibility that population growth is
playing a role,” said Perry Lindstrom, an EIA analyst.

Meanwhile, Colorado politicians and growth pushers do everything they can to attract more people to the state.

http://www.facebook.com/rose.tyner.5 Rose Tyner

Yes it is all those evil drivers! And of course all those evil this and evil that. Environmentalists want us to stop driving.

ericl

How about people just scrapping their 4.5 ton petrol pickups to carry one 150 pound adult to the store and switch to an electric renewable.

GonzoDon

and the Saudi Arabians want you to drive more, more, more!

Troy

have all the front range folks move to California and Texas, problem solved ;)

Bill Wilson

Carbon dioxide produced by burning natural gas is half what is produced by burning coal. Most states that have seen reductions in co2 have used less coal and more natural gas. It is that simple

David joined The Denver Post in 1999, his second go-round in the Mile High City. Since then he’s covered a variety of topics – from human services to consumer affairs – most always with an investigative bent. Currently he does investigations and banking.